I decided to knit Sean these Purl Bee boot socks for Valentine’s Day this year, mostly because they knit up so quickly in worsted weight yarn. I actually didn’t think they’d feel as light and airy as the finished project does–and they are, dare I say it, a foot’s dream, because I used Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage yarn.

I stash busted these socks with two skeins of Whiskers I had from a previous project I frogged, and some bits of the cactus flower colorway leftover from pussy hats.

I definitely see making more of these in my future–the color combinations are endless.

This was a simple, quick, but super delicious weeknight dinner. All together, it took about 20 minutes, from start to finish. Little necks, and any other clams for that matter, are readily available and cheap around these parts. Hello, weeknight dinner.

It’s simple, throw tons of garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, and olive oil into a pan and soften. Add white wine. Reduce a bit. Add clams, cook until they all pop open, just a few minutes.

I’ve been working on a First 100 Days sketchbook as a way to address my pent up anger and to try and put this time, and these feelings, into my artwork and express.

I recently made a #nodapl block print–an issue extremely close to me as a Native American. It should be an issue important to all Native Americans. This is my sketchbook reaction to recent news that the pipeline easement would be granted.

I’ve been trying to keep my weeknight cooking easy but filled with variety this winter. I hate getting into food ruts.

This shrimp fried rice is the perfect midweek dinner that’s super quick, easy to execute, and definitely filling. Plus, its a fun way to use shrimp and the rice is chock full of fried egg for additional protein and so many veggies (you can add endless veggies) that you don’t need to cook anything else to go with it.

The trick? Make your rice a couple of days before and let it dry out in the fridge. The drier the rice, the better its fried and more authentic it tastes. Rice can be gummy. This meal would not be pleasurable if every grain was stuck together in a big gluey mess. Trust me–its a step you can’t skip.

What’s more, you can just boil your rice one night when you are making another quick dinner, pop it in a container, and then you’ve cut your work down when you finally get around to making this dinner.

After my first go around with block printing back in November, I’ve been taking to it in the last few weeks to explore printing blocks on top of one another, and determining how to create pattern.

I’m getting in a lot of studio practice, thanks in part to a little space set up for me in work by a brilliant artist friend and co worker of mine, Rebecca. As an extension of having this space, the students can see how we work, our process, and we can demo different techniques.

The first block I made featured the No DAPL slogan. If you don’t know about Dakota Access, know that its one of the most important issues facing Native Americans right now; our sacred land and water are threatened and you should get involved. I decided to make this block print because I could easily replicate it a million times to spread awareness.

This is our civil rights moment as indigenous peoples. I will use my craft and my art to spread the message.